Buddhism Concepts and Vision
The Origins of the Buddha Gautama Sidhartha (born 586 bce) a prince of the Sakya people. At age 29 saw four troubling sights: old man, an ill person, a corpse, & a hermit. At age 35 (in 551 bce) meditated under the Bodhi tree and found enlightenment. Lived as a teacher helping others find their enlightenment At age 80, departed this world in 506 bce.
Buddhist Revolution
Siddhartha' revolution in faith was the idea that the goal of ones faith should be attaining enlightenment. Something that each individual must search for themselves.
Buddha wrote nothing and all we know is recorded by his followers. It would appear he rejected formal Sanskrit and spoke in the vernacular, Prakrit.
Four Noble Truths
1. Nothing is permanent and we live in sorrow and suffering, 2. The cause of suffering is the desire for existence in the world, 3. Suffering ceases when people are freed of their desires, 4. Eliminate suffering by following the eight-fold path. Buddhism Expands
Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (273-232 BCE) converts to Buddhism after uniting most of northern India. Buddha’s remains are divided up and hundreds of places of worship are built.
Hellenistic Kingdoms 4th to 3rd c. BCE
Mauryan Empire 3rd to 1st c. CE
Buddhist Stupa
toranas harmika
Stupa at Sanchi c. 250 BCE
Kapilavastu Bodhi Gaya
Sanchi Stupa
Amaravati Stupa Buddhist Stupa
Mandala Mt. Meru Umbrella
Tantric Buddhism Tibetan Sand Mandala
Buddhist Stupa
The Great Departure
Relief carving on torana.
Changes in Buddhism
Theravada Mahayana - begun c. 350 BCE Bodhisattva Kunshan Dynasty (50-320 CE) Mathura Gandhara Gupta Dynasty (319-500 CE) Gandhara
Mathura
Mathura School
Gandhara School
Gupta Empire 5th to 6th c. CE
Xuan-Zang (602-664 CE) Active abroad between 629-645 CE. Gupta Style 5th century CE
Characteristics that define the Buddha •!Foot prints •!Wheel •!White elephant •!Long earlobes •!Strong elephant-like shoulders •!Monk’s robes •!Hair in an ascetic bun •!Bulge on head (ushnisha) •!bump between the eyes (urna) •!Lotus eyes •!Meditative stance or teaching